Ball tossing game



Aug. 9, 1949. G. RIFFE BALL TOSSING GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March l, 1946 'z/r 6 1Q INVENTOR. @e 7a2 @LE/1) ff@ ATTE! R N EYs Aug. 9, 1949. G. L. RlFFE BALL TOSSING GAME` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l, 1946 INVENTOR. Cerczld; L.Ej/ffe e' mmr ATTEI RN EYE Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y `2,47s,7s2

BALL 'rossING GAME A Gerald Leroy Rilfe, Guymon,vkla. l

Application March 1, 1946, Serial No.'651,'110Qf` Y The invention relates to a game apparatus, and more especially toia ball playing game apparatus.

The. primary object of the invention is the provisionV of an apparatus of this character, wherein a ball tossing game can be played and thereby giving amusement to participants and thrill in the winning of the game through the operation of such apparatus, the latter being of novel -construction and unique in theV working thereof. :Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein a game can be played by two' or "four players, and the chance factor enters into each play in sending a ball to its goal, yet. skill is an item important in the winning of the game.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, strong, durable, hand actuated, giving entertainment and amusement to the players thereof, aiording pleasure and attractiveness to the participants in the playing of the game, and inexpensive to manufacture and install. j

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which show the preferred embodimentV of the invention, and pointedout in the claims hereunto appended,

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a mutilated side view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken onjthe line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a mutilated elevation of one of the key or lever separators.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the game apparatus constituting the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular or elongated shaped body Astructure denoted generally at Agwhich involves a base section I0, upstanding vertical end walls Il, vopposed upstanding spaced vertical transparent side walls I2, and a iiat horizontally arranged top section I3, respectively. The sections and walls'are interiitted and secured together in any suitable manner to create an enclosure or compartment I 4 within this body structure A.. Y I j T Y The base sectionv Ill'jis superimposed on outer and intermediate foundation cross sills I5 and I6 respectively for'the-` support of the said section on a flooring or other, horizontal plane, while directly above the said sectionjlll -is arranged opposite groupsofrdepressible keys or levers I1, each group being disposed lin longitudinal rows, and the keys or 4levers `are-side-lny-side in parallel relation to each other throughout therow to lie crosswise of' the chamberor compartment I 4, meetingV midway ofthe lattervat their inner ends I8 where they overlap one another in a horizontal direction throughout the longitudinal extent of such ,chamber or compartment. These keys or levers I1 are pivotedabout lhorizontal pivot rods I 9'for Avertical rocking `motion thereon, which pivot rods I9 being mounted orhaving bearings in `upstan'ding'vertical dividing plates 20 which separate the keys or levers I'I into independent pairs 'therebetween in vclose relation to one another. The section I0 has clearances 2| underlying the keysor levers I1 to allow of free rocking motion thereto. The rods|9 also have fixed connections with the end walls II of the body structure A. The plates 20 rise-above striking blocks 22 which are arranged in pairs therebetween and above a longitudinally centered horizontal guide rail 23 interfltting the plates2ll. These blocks 22 are anchored onplungers 24 working through the rail 23 and xed in upstandlng vertical position on the ends I8 of the keys or levers I1. The plates 20 effect trapping troughs as denoted generally at 2-5 therebetween above the blocks 22 in their pair relationship. Positioned on and surrounding the plungers 24 and interposed between the rail 23 and the treadles or pedal ends I8 are coiled tensioning springs 26 which function to tension the said keys or levers when the outer ends 21 of such keys or levers are depressed out of the normal horizontal disposition thereof, these ends being extended beyond opposite sides of the body I0 outwardly in a lateral direction thereto for hand operation thereof.

The pairs of blocks 22 have reversely inwardly bevelled striking top surfaces 28 to effect valleys common to each pair of blocks. The top surfaces produce a reverse casting or projection oi an object when struck by such surfaces individually, according to the key or lever II selectively actuated at either side of the body structure A.

Provided in the uppermost face of the top section I3 and directed from one end wall I I of the body structure A toward the approximate center transversely of the latter is an outwardly tapered ball feed chute or alley 28 which has its larger end merging into an entrance hole 29 in said top section to the enclosure or compartment I4 for the gravitating of balls 30 singly therein and onto a pair of the blocks 22 from Where they Will bounce at random for trapping by a trough common to another pair of said blocks.

The end walls II have provided therein at a determined elevation above the blocks outlet win dows 3|, each confronted with a netted basket 32 which effects a goal pocket detachably held and supported properly by a hanger bracket 33 tted on the body structure .A to support the basket horizontally outwardly from the end Wall II next thereto, as best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings. The baskets 32 are designated .for catching a ball 30 when driven through .a window 3I through striking action of a contacting block 22 operated by a key or lever I1 which 'is in turn hand-controlled by a player.

By the deposit of a ball 30 in the basket V32 through striking 'action of e. block 22 Within the compartment I4 a fdelnite scoring is had Vfor a player in the Working of the apparatus, and such player making the 'highest scoring is the winner of the game played.

Each of the windows 3| is adapted to be closed by a closure member 34 which when opened afiords a brace for' the bracket 33, as evidenced in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The iiooring arrangement `created by the blocks 22 within the enclosure efr-compartment I4 in the body structure A constitutes the playing iield for a game when played by the apparatus, and in the playing of such game the balls 3U of adetermined series are placed Within the chute 28 and the ball 3B nearest the Vhole 123 is fed therethrough with the succeeding balls in sequence following. When the series of balls are deposited in the enclosure or compartment M, then a player selects and operates a key or lever I'I for the casting of a ball lying on the blocks `22 controlled by the selected lever I'I to effect the delivery thereof through a striking force from the blocks 22 thereto successfully into a basket 33, thus making a score for the Winning of the'game as may be played by the apparatus. The block 22 stri-kes'the ball and the direction the 'ball Will travel in its trajection is determined by the side of the game on which the player is positioned. The levers II d Number on one side will control the slanted blocks 22 for one direction, and the levers I'I on the opposite side will control the slanted blocks for travel of the balls in the opposite direction. If an attempt to score has been made by the player for each ball dropped into the enclosure and some balls remain that have not made a score the balls failing to make a score can be removed from the enclosure or apparatus in any suitable manner, as for example, through either of the windows which give access thereto prior to the playing of the vgame by an opponent.

The game, its rules and regulations, as may be played by the apparatus is a separate entity from the apparatus and is not an essence of the invention as heretofore described.

Each of the keys or levers I1 is manually operated, preferably by a finger of the hand of a person.

What is claimed is:

l. `An apparatus of the kind described, comprising a body structure, a plurality of striking blocks arranged in a horizontal plane Within the structure, an inclined chute on the upper surface of said body, and an opening at the lower end of said chute for gravitating rolling objects onto the blocks, goal baskets 'mounted exteriorly of said body, means in said body for making said baskets accessible from Within and without the structure for deposit of said rolling objects therein when driven by the blocks, and manually operated means for imparting striking action tothe blocks.

2. An apparatus lof the kind described, 4com-- prising a body structure, a plurality of striking blocks arranged in a horizontal plane within the structure, an inclined chute on the upper surface of said body,and an opening at the lower end of said chute for gravitatng rolling objects onto the blocks, goal baskets mounted exteriorly of said body, means in said body for making said baskets accessible from within 'and without the `structure for deposit of said rolling objects therein when driven by the blocks, manually operated means for imparting striking action to the blocks, and trough-forming means' embracing each pair of blocks within the structure.

' GERALD rLenoir am.

REFERENCES CITED The following vreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 850,224 Haskell Apr. 16, 1907 1,319,372 Biertuempfel Oct. 21, 1919 1,915,452 Shefler et al June 27, 1935 

